THE music industry was accused yesterday of glamorising drug abuse after the New Musical Express chose an artist who is fighting crack cocaine and heroin addiction as its “Cool Icon” of 2004.

Pete Doherty, who was kicked out of The Libertines for failing to control his drug use, topped the magazine’s writers’ list of music stars who embody the notion of “cool”.

Drug charities said that the magazine, the most influential music publication read by teenagers, was behaving irresponsibly. The NME said that it had rewarded Doherty for his wit, musical abilities and positive influence on his young fans, not for his well- documented drug problems.

The Libertines topped the album charts in September and the Indie rock band are hailed as a classic English group in the tradition of The Clash, The Smiths and The Kinks.

Last year Doherty served a two-month prison sentence for breaking into the flat of Carl Barat, The Libertines’ co- founder, to steal possessions to sell for drugs.

After a six-month reunion, Barat ejected Doherty from the group as he failed to combat his addictions. Doherty walked out of rehabilitation at a Thai monastery and friends say that he still uses heroin.

Doherty, who received a four-month suspended custodial sentence after pleading guilty to possession of a knife, is now pursuing a solo career.

His unpredictable behaviour has enthralled the NME and thousands of young fans flock to his shows, although his appearances are erratic.

The NME voted Barat and Doherty joint-top of the Cool list. The magazine said: “With a loyal fan base that copies their every move, they (Barat and Doherty) are indisputable kings of cool.”

Alex Needham, deputy editor of the NME, said: “It is not a heroin addiction which makes Pete Doherty the coolest. “He is a very talented musician who has become a modern-day minstrel, wandering the country playing for anyone who wants to see him. There is something seductive about the idea of doomed destructive youth, which goes back to the Romantic poets.

“There is a parallel with Kurt Cobain, but the NME does not endorse drug abuse. Readers can see that it has caused the disintegration of a great band like The Libertines.”

Rebecca Cheshire, policy manager at the drugs charity Addaction, said: “Young people are vulnerable to hard drugs and not everyone has the ability to fall back on expensive rehabilitation programmes like rock stars. The record industry does have a responsibility to promote healthy lifestyles.” She said that consumption of crack cocaine and heroin usage is rising among young people, fuelled by cheap street prices.

Harry Shapiro, director of the Drugscope charity, said that young people could decide for themselves. “Fans can see when someone is messing up through herion and crack,” he said. “I haven’t seen evidence that they are influenced to take drugs because of a rock star.”

The Libertines, who continued without Doherty, will split next month after touring. Barat said that he would reform the group with Doherty in “full health”. Doherty is expected to hit the Top Ten next month with the single Killamangiro, under the name Babyshambles.

THE COOL LIST

1 Pete Doherty (ex-Libertines) and Carl Barat (The Libertines)
2 Mike Skinner (The Streets)
3 Eminem
4 Johnny Borrell (Razorlight)
5 Nick McCarthy (Franz Ferdinand)
6 Morrissey
7 Kelle Okereke (Bloc Party)
8 Martin Tomlinson (Selfish C***)
9 Brandon Flowers (The Killers)
10 Ana Matronic (Scissor Sisters)
11 Dominic Masters (The Others)
12 The Maggot (Goldie Lookin’ Chain)
13 Andre 3000 (OutKast)
14 Kim Deal (Pixies)
15 Kyp Malone (TV On The Radio)
16 Carlos D (Interpol)
17 Devendra Banhart (solo artist)
18 Meg White (The White Stripes)
19 Gwen Stefani
20 Serge Pizzio (Kasabian)

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